News From the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Reflection

Sixth World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly - “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15)

Pope Leo prepares the Church to mark the World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly, happening on the feast of Ss Joachim & Anne - grandparents of Our Lord Jesus Christ - by recalling the loving words of God through the prophet Isaiah: “I will never forget you.”

He points out that many of the words of scripture (particularly the Psalms) come to us from those who cry out to God in their despair. However, God responds to us with these words of comfort and hope, which are addressed to each of us personally, however lost or isolated we might be.

The Pope recognises, in his recent document on safeguarding the human person in the age of AI, that even with our increased digital connectedness “the human heart retains an irrevocable need for genuine closeness” (Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, 239) – and so reminds us that we have a God who notices and loves us.

He also observes that there have never been more older adults in our world, but that these “new people” (Pope Francis 22nd Feb 22) can always hear their vocation, even in the midst of fragility. And acknowledging fragility can encourage openness to one another and a desire to call more readily on God for aid. “It is never too late to begin turning to him,” he writes.

The tender love of God is always inviting us, because He is always mindful of us. As Isaiah says: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (Is 30:15) The Pope asks us to recognise in the lives of all grandparents and elderly the hand of God at work to bring reconciliation and peace, and not to forget to bless them with our prayers and especially our presence.

Paul Northam

Diocesan Advisor for Evangelisation & Discipleship (with Marriage & Family Life)

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Sunday 26 July

Pope Leo XIV has chosen “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15) as this year's theme.

The World Day is an opportunity to bring the closeness of the Church to the elderly and to enhance their contribution within families and communities.

Resources for use in parishes now available on our website:

This Sunday: Monthly SEND Mass, Northfield

Inclusive Mass for People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) on the 4th Sunday of each month at Our Lady and St Brigid's, Northfield.

What to Expect:

• A gentle, sensory-friendly environment with space to move around and use of fidget toys.
• Music and readings tailored for accessibility - we start with the same hymn each time and have a chid-friendly Bible reading.
• A warm welcome from Fr Cecil, Deacon Mark and volunteers.
• Refreshments and catch up after Mass.

Everyone is invited: You are more than welcome to join us, please do come along with your children to experience for yourself a calm, welcoming and inclusive Mass.

Next dates - all Masses start at 4pm:

Sunday 26 July

Sunday 23 August

Sunday 27 September

Trustee and Volunteer Opportunities

The Archdiocese of Birmingham is seeking practising Catholics with professional experience to serve as Trustees and committee members, particularly in safeguarding, property, governance, heritage and the work of Harvington Hall.

Oppose Assisted Suicide

Please contact your MP to oppose assisted suicide

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is back in the House of Commons and seeks to legalise assisted suicide. It will have its Second Reading and vote on Friday 11 September. Please write to your MP to make your voice heard and oppose the Bill.

“This bill is wrong in principle,” says Archbishop Richard Moth, President of the Bishops’ Conference, “It is also deeply flawed and, if passed, could lead to vulnerable people feeling pressured into ending their lives. The Bill has a serious lack of protection for health and social care staff and risks putting many wonderful hospices and care homes in the position of no longer being able to operate. I urge you to write to your Members of Parliament to petition them to vote against the Bill at Second Reading.”

You can support the Archbishop’s call and contact your MP now as a matter of urgency.

Even if you have already done so in the past, please speak up and voice your opposition. The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to do this. It takes little more than a few minutes to enter your postcode, make sure the suggested text suits your viewpoint and submit your message to ask your MP to stop this flawed Bill progressing through parliament.

Archbishop Bernard invites communities to mark Season of Creation

Archbishop Bernard Longley has recorded a video message encouraging parishes and schools across the Archdiocese to celebrate the Season of Creation 2026 and to take the opportunity to celebrate the Mass for the Care of Creation.

Running from 1 September to 4 October, this year's Season of Creation has the theme "Living Water", inspired by the vision of God's life-giving water bringing renewal and healing to creation.

A range of resources is available on the diocesan website including Archbishop Bernard's video message, a Celebration Guide, prayer resources, information on the Mass for the Care of Creation, and practical ideas to help parishes and schools take part in this worldwide season of prayer and action for our common home.

Sign up now for World Youth Day 2027

Join the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT) on this life-changing pilgrimage to Seoul

Applications are now open for next year's World Youth Day in Seoul. If you will be aged 18 or over by the date of travel please consider signing up.

Dates: 26 July - 8 Aug 2027 (flight dependent)

Price: £2,500 (approx due to air travel)

KYT is organising a trip from the Archdiocese and is keen to secure places and flights as soon as possible.

World Youth Day Seoul is your chance to experience the universal Church like never before. Join over half a million young Catholics as we pray, celebrate, serve, and worship together as one global family. From exciting Days in the Diocese to inspiring vigils, vibrant celebrations, and unforgettable Masses, every day is packed with faith, friendship, adventure, and lifelong memories.

Booking now open: A Pilgrimage to the Ignatian Places

Join diocesan assistant priest Fr Toby Duckworth on a pilgrimage across Spain and Rome in February/March year.

Following the success of his first ‘Pilgrimage to the Ignatian Places’ in Lent 2025, Fr Toby is now looking for his next group of hearty pilgrims to join him on this bespoke pilgrimage across Spain and Rome!

This adventure sees us tracing the life of St Ignatius of Loyola, with plenty of rich opportunities to learn from his life lessons and colossal spiritual wisdom along the way.

Unlike St Ignatius we will make the most of modern-day transportation - flights and coaches - but a reasonable level of mobility is still needed e.g., climbing a flight of stairs, can wonder on foot between a couple of churches.

Are you up for the adventure?

Please book by Friday 7 August.

National Deacons Assembly

Booking now open

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales invites deacons to the National Deacons Assembly, taking place from Friday 4 - Sunday 6 September at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa.

The theme of the assembly will be: Human Dignity Beyond All Circumstances. The presence and practice of deacons in supporting human dignity in all - and beyond all - circumstances.

This gathering will reflect on the ministry of deacons today in the light of the Church’s recent declaration Dignitas Infinita, exploring how deacons are called to witness to the infinite dignity of every human person, especially in situations of vulnerability, marginalisation and hardship.

Father Hudson's Caritas - Annual Review 2025/2026

Now available to download and read

The charity's Annual Review highlights achievements across the year in its five themes of disability, older people, refugees and migrants, children and families and homelessness.

You can read stories of individuals whose lives have positively benefitted from FHC support and the difference it’s made to them.

Next week: Interest Meeting for The OHP Academy

Monday 27 July. Open to everyone.

The OHP Academy is a six-month online worship school for aspiring worship leaders, musicians and songwriters who want to grow in their faith and their practical gifting in order to serve in their context.

One Hope Project has over a decade’s experience in leading worship, writing songs, equipping others and a much longer journey of following Jesus and we see the real need to invest in this area of the Church.

We have previously run 5 schools, graduating over 100 worship leaders from all over the world and we’re growing year on year!

These meetings are a no pressure time to meet a couple of people from the OHP team, hear more about The Academy and ask any questions you may have.

Commemorating the dropping of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

All welcome at two memorial events in Birmingham - Birmingham Cathedral, The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip (Saturday 1 August) and St Chad's Cathedral (Wednesday 5 August).

Organised by West Midlands Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

August: Weekly Live Organ Recitals at St Chad's Cathedral

Hosted by Thursday Live Plus!

The regular monthly series is extended this summer, with a recital taking place every Thursday during August at 1.15pm.

Recitals last 40 minutes and are admission free with a retiring collection towards the care and maintenance of the organ. A warm welcome to all!

6 August: Käthe Wright Kaufman

13 August: Paul Carr (with Cathedral Cantor Ed Harrisson)

20 August: Mélodie Michel

27 August: Stephen Disley

Summer Open Day for Families, All Welcome

First-ever St Columban Summer Open Day

St Columban's, Solihull, on Wednesday 19 August from 10.30am - 2.30pm.

As part of their mission commitment to caring for creation, the Columbans have made biodiversity restoration and protection a key priority.

To celebrate this work and inspire others to take action, they are hosting a special Summer Open Day for local families during the summer!

New Opportunities for Faith Formation at Maryvale

Maryvale Institute is now enrolling for three new courses beginning this September: two Biblical Studies programmes delivered in partnership with the Catholic Biblical School Ministry (CBSM): the Old Testament Covenant Year and New Testament Encounter Year, and a new Diploma in the Sacrament of Marriage.

The Scripture courses offer guided study of the Bible through pre-recorded teaching, workbook exercises, lectio divina and live tutorials, while the Marriage Diploma explores the graces of indissolubility, fidelity and fruitfulness through Scripture, the Church Fathers and contemporary Church teaching.

Data Protection Awareness - seven-minute Video for Parishes

Handling personal data is an important part of parish life and it’s vital that we all do this safely and responsibly.

To support this, our Data Compliance Manager, Debbie Jones, has created a short seven-minute video to help raise awareness of data protection and reduce the risk of data breaches. The video provides practical guidance for anyone who handles personal data as part of their role.

After watching, you are asked to complete a very short feedback form. This helps us understand how widely the training is being used and identify any further support or training needs across parishes.

Please share this with anyone in your parish who handles personal data - the more people who are aware, the better.

Jobs and Volunteering

Opportunities with the Archdiocese and other organisations

Paid positions

Father Hudson's Caritas provides social care throughout the Archdiocese.

Roles currently available include:

Relief Support Worker. No closing date.

Foster Carers. No closing date.

St Joseph's Residential Care Home, Relief Care Assistants. No closing date.

Cook. Closing date - Friday 31 July.

Family Support Worker. Closing date - Tuesday 18 August.

Intergenerational Project Worker. Closing date - Monday 3 August.

The Ministry of Justice is recruiting for a Chaplain: Roman Catholic Ordained Priest/ Deacon, Religious Brother, Sister, Lay Person.

HMP Birmingham. Part-time, 25 Hours.

Closing Date - Friday 24 July.

Voluntary Positions

Lead Trustee for Safeguarding

Lead Trustee for Property

Lead Trustee and Chair of Harvington Hall Management Committee

The Trustees are seeking to appoint skilled and committed Catholic volunteers with relevant professional experience.

Several other opportunities are also advertised on our website including:

Volunteers to support Laudato Si' days at St Mary's College, Oscott.

Join KYT's Mission Team

An opportunity for 18 - 25 years olds at the Kenelm Youth Trust.

Become a Faith Rep with Mary's Meals.

Parish Appealers are needed by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Volunteer at Tabor Living, Birmingham.

Come and See - Discernment Retreat for young Catholic women at Minster Abbey

Share the rhythm of daily monastic prayer and life.

For single Roman Catholic women aged 18-35 open to discerning a monastic vocation.

Hosted by the Benedictine Nuns of Minster Abbey, Kent.

Two weekends available in 2026:

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August

Friday 9 - Sunday 11 October.

Charismatic Renewal Conference

Bookings open!

The Birmingham Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference takes place at St John’s Hotel, Solihull, from Monday 10 - Friday 14 August.

With the theme “Return. Receive. Rejoice.”, the event includes guest speakers, worship and opportunities for healing and renewal.

All welcome to join a Transformative Five Days of Encounter.

Participants will experience a rich rhythm of prayer, worship, teaching, sacraments, and healing ministry. The programme includes:

• Daily Intercessory Prayer, Morning Prayer, and Praise and Worship

• Six major keynote talks from Deacon Larry and Andi Oney

• Workshops led by Terry Quinn and Ros Powell

• Healing Ministry available each afternoon

• Masses celebrated by Bishop Timothy Menezes, Fr Steven Fleming and Fr Eamonn Corduff

• A dedicated Healing Service on Thursday evening

• Opportunities for Adoration, Veneration of the Cross, Rosary, and Night Prayer.

CELEBRATE Festival 2026

CELEBRATE festival returns to Worth School, West Sussex, from 15 - 19 August, bringing together around 1,000 people for worship, teaching and community.

With the theme “Let There Be Light,” the event will feature keynote speakers, Masses with bishops, and programmes for all ages.

Run by the CELEBRATE Trust, tickets are now available with family, individual and camping options.

Course: Free Will & Grace

Friday 28 - Monday 31 August

Hosted by The Christian Hertiage Centre at Stonyhurst

Join us for a theological and philosophical deep dive on one of the great themes of the Christian Faith: human freedom and Divine grace.

With lectures and workshops building on St Thomas Aquinas' writings, the course will also explore questions of conscience and the problem of evil.

This year's guest speaker will be Rev. Dr Simon Gaine, OP.

One Hope Project Academy 2026/27

Online Worship School: Sept 2026 – Mar 2027

A message from One Hope Project:

We’re excited to share that applications for the 2026/27 OHP Academy are OPEN NOW.

The OHP Academy is a six-month online worship school for aspiring worship leaders, musicians and songwriters who want to grow in faith and their practical gifts in order to serve in their context.

One Hope Project has over a decade’s experience in leading worship, writing songs, equipping others and following Jesus, and we want to invest in you!

Please follow us online

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